Protector for harness-straps.



L. L. LITTLBPIELD. PROTECTOR FOR HARNESS STRAPS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16. 1914.

Patented Oct. 6, 1914,

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LORY L. LITTLEFIELD, OF BELLEVUE, IOWA.

PROTECTOR FOR EARNESS-STBAPS.

nuance.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LORY L. LITTLEFIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bellevue, in the county of Jackson and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Protector for Harness-Straps, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to a protector for harness straps and which is adapted particularly as a sheath or wear member for a belly band to reduce the wear incident to the rubbing of the pole strap.

The present invention aims to provide a simple and inexpensive protector of unique construction, which will be applicable to the belly band or other strap in a. simple, but effective manner, to prevent the wear of the belly band or strap.

It is also the object of the present invention to provide a protector or sheath which will be applicable to various sizes of belly bands or other straps, which will not require any special tools to apply the same, and which may be readily stamped or formed from sheet metal.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the protector. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view thereof.

The improved protector or sheath is formed from a blank of sheet metal, of suitable dimensions. The protector embodies an elongated plate or body 1 having its edge portions 2 and 3 curved back, whereby the protector will be of approximately elliptical cross section. The reflexed or inwardly turned edge portions 2 and 3 are spaced apart, whereby the protector or sheath may be readily slipped transversely over the belly band or other strap.

As a means for connecting the edges of the plate or body 1, and for contracting the protector or sheath, the edge portion 2 is provided with a longitudinal series of in- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 16, 1914.

Patented Oct. 6:, 191st.

Serial No. 845357.

tegral tabs 4 which are provided with longitudinal slots 5, and the other edge portion 3 is provided with a longitudinal series of flexible or bendable tongues 6, the free ends of which are insertible through the slots 5 of the tabs a. When the free ends of the tongues 6 are inserted through the slots 5 they are adapted to be bent back, as seen at 7 in Figs. 1 and E2, to thereby hold the edge portions 2 and 3 of the sheath or protector against separation. The tabs 4; and tongues 6 at the opposite sides are in transverse alinement, whereby they will cooperate properly, it being preferable to provide a tab 4c and a tongue 6 at each end of the sheath or protector. i In order to hold the sheath or protector in place upon the belly band or strap, the edge portions 2 and 3 are provided intermediate the respective tabs 4: and tongues 6 with angular teeth or spurs 8 which project inwardly at points spaced slightly from the sides of the protector or sheath.

It will thus be observed that the protector or sheath is formed from a single blank, and may be inexpensively and conveniently manufactured. The protector may .be readily applied to a belly band or strap, when the tongues 6 are detached from the tabs 4, inasmuch as the belly band or strap may be readily passed laterally through the opening between the edge portions 2 and 3 to be received by the protector or sheath. Then, the edge portions 2 and 3 are bent toward each other, which may be done by means of any suitable implement which is handy, and as a result the teeth or spurs 8 will be caused to bite or engage into the belly band or strap, to hold the protector against longitudinal movement along the belly band or strap and furthermore, the protector or sheath will be contracted snugly about the band or strap to tightly embrace the same. During the contraction of the protector or sheath, the free ends of the tongues 6 are passed through the slots 5 of the tabs at, and when the sheath is properly contracted, the free ends of the tongues 6 are bent back, as at 7 by means of a hammer or other suitable implement, to thus hold the protector or sheath incontracted condition. The body or plate 1 will thus provide a suitable wearing surface, for the contact of the pole strap or other strap crossing the belly band or strap to which the protector is applied. In this manner, the

wear of the belly bend or strap to which the protector applied is eliminated. The proteetor or sheath may be applied to old, as well as new liuirnesses and may be con structed of light or horny stock, according to the Various circumstances. W hen the protector or sheot'i is applied to the belly bztno or strep, the protee'or or sheath will not unduly encumber the some. It is also to be observed that no special tools are necessary for appl or removing the protector, other tlnn a, pair oi" pliers their equivalents.

v ring thus describeo the invention, What is claimed as new is 1. it il e embody a, plate having its oege portions (ll1\"(i boclq one edge portion having slots, and lie other edge portion he"- iug flexible tongues insertible through the said slots and adapted to have their free ends bent lJZtCli.

"3. A protector for belly bends and the like, comprising a plate having its edge por tions curred back, one edge portion having a h tudinel series of tabs, the tabs having slots and the other edge portion having :1 longitudinal series of flexible tongues in and a hammer, or

sertihle through the said slots and adopted to have their free ends bent book.

3. A protector for belly bends and the like, embodying a plate having its edge portions curved book, one edge portion having slots, and the other edge portion having flexible tongues ins rtible through the said slots and odeited to have their free ends bent l)ttCl the said edge portions having inturned teeth.

l. A protector for belly bends and the like, comprising :i plate having its edge portions curved b: elr, one edge portion having {t longitudinal series of tabs the tabs liming slots and the other edge portion having it longitudinal series oi? flexible tongues insertrble through the said slots and adapter to have their free ends bent back, the said edge portions having inturned teeth between the respective tabs and tongues.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto oflixed my signm ture in the presence of two witnesses.

LORY L. LITTLEFIELD. iVitnesses:

J. H. luloiinnnnorr, J 01m Hemmer-i.

W mum Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,

by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, It). 0. 

